what's too much?

[leechlake]

We have a 5 year old Golden and 9 year old lab. A nice little black lab female joined the family about a month ago. She's 12 weeks old now and frankly the best behaved little pup we've ever had. I train my dogs myself and over the years with some screw ups along the way I've become pretty good at training dogs.

My question is that the pup will have moments every few days where she wants to battle with the older dogs. It is merely goofing around horse play with the older dog usually laying on their back getting harassed by the pup. After a while it seems to go on too long and I will say "no" and eventually just quarantine the dogs to areas where they can't do it anymore.

What is too much of this? I'm sure all our pups have done this and turned into well behaved adult dogs but it gets annoying after a bit.

[setterguy]

Been my experience that the older dogs will let them know the exact moment they have had enough.

[brittman]

Been my experience that the older dogs will let them know the exact moment they have had enough.

Exactly.

I have always let my pups and older adult dogs "play" if they so chose. It seems to keep the older dog a little more spry and young at heart.

[Bobby Bass]

Yup, the older dogs will let them know when enough is enough.